TNT Comedy back in business in Lansing

Brothers Art Russell, Mike Russell and Roger Wayne Sanders, have reopened TNT Comedy Hook in Lansing. The comedy club was originally open from 1995 to 2002. Photo provided by Roger Wayne Sanders.
Brothers Art Russell, Mike Russell and Roger Wayne Sanders, have reopened TNT Comedy Hook in Lansing. The comedy club was originally open from 1995 to 2002. Photo provided by Roger Wayne Sanders.

TNT Comedy back in business in Lansing

By Tia Carol Jones

TNT Comedy Hook opened the first time in 1995 and closed in 2002. During that time, comedians like Bernie Mac, Damon Williams, DeRay Davis, Craig Robinson, Leon Rodgers and Marlon Mitchell all performed there.

Now, three brothers, Art Russell, Mike Russell and Roger Wayne Sanders, have reopened the comedy club. Growing up, the brothers used comedy to interact with one another. Art and Mike were around when TNT Comedy Hook was opened and even hosted some College Comedy nights. They were able to work with some names that are very familiar to people now, when they were just starting out.

When they found out the space was open, the brothers came up with the idea to open TNT again.

Since TNT opened in February of this year, there have been some successful nights. Like any business it has been a roller coaster ride.

“The comedians who now have a name for themselves, who originally performed at TNT, when they got wind of it, a lot of them wanted to come back and touch the stage at the grand opening,” Sanders said.

Sanders said the feeling of having comedians who were at the opening of TNT who had previously performed there in the mid to late 1990s and early 2000s was breathtaking. Marlon Mitchell was one of the comedians who performed at the original TNT who performed at the 2022 grand opening of the comedy club.

The brothers want to bring comedy to new audiences and give new comedians a platform to showcase their craft. They also want comedians who once performed at TNT Comedy Hook to come back and help the business grow.

Opening a comedy club in the pandemic was a challenge.  There was also a need to have a space for people to enjoy live entertainment once the quarantines and shutdowns were over.
“What better thing to do than to create an atmosphere for people to laugh. With everything we went through during the pandemic, it’s good to give people an environment to come to, press that button to relax and get that laughter out,” Sanders said.

The vision is to get back the same energy that was present when TNT was originally open. Even though it is a different time, they want to give the community a place to come and laugh.
When TNT Comedy Hook is not being used as a comedy venue, the brothers want to use it as an event space for business meetings, baby showers, or birthday parties.

Social media has enabled up and coming comedians to have a platform and build a following. The brothers are able to utilize social media to follow comedians, reach out to them and see their content, as well as create content of their own.

TNT Comedy Hook is located at 2354 172nd Street, next to Outriggers Restaurant. Shows take place at 7:30 and 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Cost is $10 online and $15 at the door. For more information, visit www.tntcomedyhook.com.

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